Cary teen killed in crash, driver charged in Wake County

Lena Goff, a 15 year old student at Green Hope High School, died Friday afternoon following a collision at the intersection of Louis Stephens Drive and Morrisville Parkway in Cary. Friends and family described her as "sweet and vibrant." Officials charged the teenage driver, who is under 18, with misdemeanor death by motor vehicle and failure to yield.

Family members and classmates gathered in the days after the crash to mourn, and a GoFundMe has been set up to help the family with immediate expenses. School staff and peers have said the loss has had a widespread effect across campus, where Lena participated in singing and wrestling. Her involvement in extracurricular activities made her well known among classmates and teammates, amplifying the emotional impact of her death.

Local law enforcement responded to the crash on Friday afternoon. The criminal charges filed against the driver begin a legal process that may include juvenile court procedures, potential insurance claims and other civil consequences for the family of the driver and the victim. Those outcomes can carry significant financial and community costs, from legal fees to medical and funeral expenses, which is one reason neighbors and school supporters organized fundraising quickly.

The crash highlights broader questions about traffic safety at busy Wake County intersections and the risks young drivers face. Community leaders and school officials may face pressure to examine crossing policies, signage and enforcement near schools and residential areas, even though no formal review has been announced. For parents and residents, the incident underscores the trade offs between traffic flow and pedestrian and driver safety as the region continues to grow.

For the Green Hope community, the immediate focus is support and remembrance. Counselors were made available to students dealing with grief, and teammates and friends have held informal gatherings to honor Lena. The financial assistance being raised is intended to ease short term burdens while the community processes a sudden loss that will reverberate through the school year.